[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 16, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS

 Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, it is with a great deal of pride that 
I share with my colleagues the names of several Wyoming students who 
are being honored for their outstanding community service with a 
Prudential Spirit of Community Award.
  These awards, in their seventh year, are presented by Prudential 
Financial, together with the National Association of Secondary School 
Principals. They honor the young people of our State who were nominated 
for their remarkable acts of volunteerism. This year a record 28,000 
young men and women were considered for this special award.
  The two top youth volunteers from my State are Chelsie Gorzalka, 17, 
of Clearmont and Tabetha Waits, 12, of Rawlins. We can be proud of each 
of them for the difference they have made in their communities. Their 
efforts help to make their home towns better places to live.
  Chelsie Gorzalka is a member of the Sheridan County Extension 4-H and 
a senior at Arvada/Clearmont High School. Chelsie received her 
nomination for the puppet plays she puts on around the State in an 
effort to educate our young children about the dangers of tobacco and 
drugs.
  Tabetha Waits of Rawlins Middle School was nominated for her 
organization of ``You Can't Break Our Stride'' an all-school walkathon 
that raised nearly $10,000 to assist the families of those who were 
affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks.
  These two award winners, along with the two honorees who have 
received this award from each of the other States, the District of 
Columbia and Puerto Rico, will receive a $1,000 award, an engraved 
silver medallion, and a trip to the Nation's capital. During their stay 
here, ten from among that group of finalists will be named America's 
top youth volunteers for 2002.
  In addition to Chelsie and Tabetha, I would like to congratulate our 
State's two distinguished finalists.
  Cory Poulos, 18, was nominated by Natrona County High School. He 
organized and participated in a Roof-Sit fundraiser that collected more 
than $5,000 to benefit ``Families of Freedom,'' a post secondary 
education fund for children whose parents were injured or killed in the 
September 11 terrorist attacks.
  Mark Sabec, 17, was nominated by Natrona County High School as well. 
He created ``No Casualties,'' a peer and adult mentoring project aimed 
at reducing the number of school dropouts in his community.
  Our congratulations goes out to these fine young people and to all 
those who participated in the awards program. Thanks to them, it is 
clear that our future is in good hands.

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